Comments (47)

I don't blame you for being scared of epidurals! There are a lot of risks and side effects associated with them, not to mention, they can definitely have an effect on your baby too. Sure, labor is intense and painful without one, but recovery is MUCH easier and faster without having had one.

If it's something you're not comfortable with, I suggest starting to research natural childbirth now. :)

--

Kristin - mama to Jude(12-29-09) and Kane(9-14-12)

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." - Maya Angelou

I had one. I was having super strong contractions and was in a lot of pain. My contractions were very irregular so I asked for an epi with a follow-up of pitocin to regulate my contractions. I just turned around, arched my back, and they numbed the area. All I felt was a tiny pinch when they actually put the needle. Believe me, that tiny pinch saved my bacon lol After that I was way more in control and able to handle the rest of the birthing process. And I hate needles, IVs, blood drawn, etc. I was so scared of it, but it really was not a big deal.

But as PP said everyone is different and you might not even want one. I just happened to have a really good experience with mine. GL!

Oh and I was not 'out of it' after having an epi. Neither was my baby. Some women it does have that affect on but not all. I wasn't one of them thank goodness. I was just tired because I had been laboring all day.

I get faintish just thinking about needles. Reading your post even made me feel a little sick. But trust me.... when you are having contractions you will be BEGGING for an epidural and the needle will not even cross your mind. I went in with baby #1 thinking no epidural... and gave in at 4cm. Just try not to think of it until you get there. Think of little hands & feet. :)

I LOVED my epidural--it was the best decision for me. Honestly, all I remember about getting it was how cold I was. The Dr. said I had to sit still & between the pain of the contraction & shaking from being so cold I was just so concerned with how I would possibly sit still long enough. After I got my epidural I was so calm and relaxed & had a chance to take a short nap before pushing. I had a quick labor and pushed for 45 minutes. I was up walking around an hour after delivering & felt as alert as I could having had practically no sleep for 2 days.

That said, it is not an exact science, and it is not the right choice for everyone. Do your research and decide what is best for you--then either option you choose be open to changing your mind because you never really know how you will feel in the moment until it happens.

Ahh, I can honestly say, yes the first time is was scary the idea. Then when it happened it was exciting. Painful yes, but honestly, it can be a dream like feeling. I have a strong phobia of needles. I was hospitalized for almost a year when I was a small child and can still remember being poked it seemed like all the time.

Anyway, with my dd and ods I had epi's. I was scared of the idea, but by the time I was there and the pain was not fun, that frankly, thinking of the needle was the least of my concerns.

Now, while very glad I had those epi's, my last doc was paying me back for standing my ground at not having a c-section. Baby was fine, but my labor just wasn't progressing the way it should have. I was given so much pitocin it really was making the contraction when they really got going, 100x worse then any labor pain I ever felt. When I thought I couldn't handle it anymore, my body did what it was supposed to and actually helped I wouldn't say reduce, but in a way reduced the impact of it. After having my 3rd with no epi etc. I can honestly say it was one of the better births and I felt so much better, healed so much faster and all in all bounced back like right away. While I hope I have the strength to do so, I really want to try without an epi again, except of course on my own terms vs. my doc trying to make me cave to have a c-section (he had a bbq to go to!)

Getting my epidural was the worst experience! Im super ticklish, its ridiculous. You cant see anything so that was nice. But whenever the dr touched my back i instantly tensed or moved and he kept yelling at me that i was going to get paralized! In the end he didnt get it in right and only one side numbed so they had to take it out and do it again...

I'm with a lot of the other ladies... My epi was when I was already between 7 and 8 cm dialated and I had full on back labor with a sunny side up baby. I didn't feel the needle a bit - focused on contractions.
Ended up with an emergency c-section only 30 min later so I was glad that was already in place and that they could simply modify the cocktail of meds bring delivered through it for surgery.
Next one will be a scheduled c- section so hopefully I get through it as well without contractions to distract.
:)